Mixing and molding device



Feio. 15, 1938. F M. TROUTNER MIXING AND MOLDING bEVICE Original Filed Oct. 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A ilorneyli Feb. 15, 1938. F. M. TROUTNER MIXING AND MOLDING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor F M fl'oufnei' tlorneys Patented Feb. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE Application October 24, 1935, Serial No. 46,595 Renewed November 2, 1937 2 Claims.

This invention is a device for mixing and molding, and especially for mixing the coloring matter into the uncolored oleomargarine and for molding the material immediately subsequent to the mixing operation so that the mixture emerges from the machine in substantially block form or other desired. shape.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a device of this character characterized by extreme simplicity of construction and facility of operation.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood. from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the mixing and molding device, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the device with certain parts broken away.

Figure 3 is an elevational View of the auger, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of a two-part sectional plate.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerale it will be seen that the mixing and molding device comprises a tubular member consisting of a pair of complemental half sections 5 and 6 which at one end, that is to say at the discharge end of the tubular member is tapered as at l and is substantially square in end elevation.

The members 5 and 6 at the closed end 8 thereof are hing-edly connected together at one side as at 9.

On the side thereof opposite to the hinge 9 the section 6 is provided with a bifurcated lug ID to which is pivoted as at II a bolt I2 adapted to be accommodated in the furcation of a bifurcated lug l3 on the corresponding side of the section 5. A thumb nut or the like [4 is threadedly engaged with the bolt l2 for securing the section in closed assembled position.

Provided on the section 5 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, preferably by being integral therewith, is a hopper l5 disposed at the closed end of the tube.

Mounted for reciprocation within the hopper I5 is a plunger l6 equipped with a suitable stem H to facilitate reciprocatory movement of the plunger l6. Obviously'the plunger may be either power driven or hand operated as found desirable.

Operating within the member formed by the sections 5 and 6 is an auger or screw conveyor 3. At one end thereof the auger or screw conveyor l8 has a stub shaft l9 journalled in a suitable bearing 20, and secured to the stub shaft IS in any suitable manner is a crank or handle 25. For substantially one half of the length thereof the vanes of the auger l3 are slotted as at 22 to accommodate perforated disks 2!.

The disks 2! have a working fit within the cylinder formed by the sections 5 and t and each of the disks is provided with the perforations as shown and is split into two complemental half sections to facilitate the engagement of the disk with the slotted vanes of the auger !8 as clearly shown. a

For securing the device to a table top or similar support there is secured to the section 6 at the closed end thereof, and in any suitable manner, preferably by being integral therewith, a substantially L-shaped clamp 24 with which is threadedly engaged a clamping screw 23.

The utility and advantages of the invention will be had from the following: After the coloring matter has been distributed over the oleomargarine, the material is placed in the hopper l5 and the plunger it then forced downwardly for feeding the material through the hopper into the cylinder. The auger I8 is rotated as the material is fed into the cylinder, and obviously as the auger it rotates the material is thoroughly mixed together and is forced lengthwise toward the end i of the cylinder, the material passing through the perforations in the disks 2 I. As the material passes through the discharge end I of the machine it is molded into shape and as the molded material passes from the end i of the machine it is cut into cubes of any length.

Obviously when subjected to the action of the blades of the auger l8, and when forced through the perforations of the disks 2| the material will be thoroughly mixed prior to the molding thereof as it enters the end i of the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

g 1. In a device of the character described, an elongated cylinder having a tapered end terminating in a substantially square discharge opening, a hopper connected with the cylinder at the end remote from said discharge opening, a plunger mounted for reciprocation in the hopper for forcing material from the hopper into the cylinder, an auger rotatably mounted in the cylinder for mixing the material and for forcing the latter lengthwise through the cylinder towards the discharge end of the latter, a plurality of perforated disks mounted in spaced relation in advance of the discharge end of the auger and through which the material is forced to pass, and means interfitting said disks with the vanes of the auger.

2. In a device of the character described, an elongated cylinder having a tapered end terminating in a substantially square discharge opening, a hopper connected with the cylinder at the end remote from said discharge opening, a plunger mounted for reciprocation in the hopper for a forcing material from the hopper into the cylinder, and an auger rotatably mounted in the cyl- 

